Do Hardscape Upgrades Actually Add to Home Value?
- South Central Landscapes
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 3
The Takeaways:
First impressions sell houses: Custom patios, walkways & outdoor living spaces boost curb appeal.
Lifestyle upgrades attract buyers: Buyers want done-for-you backyard upgrades, like fire features, outdoor kitchens & patio spaces.
Professionally installed upgrades reduce worry: Buyers want structurally sound improvements, not future liabilities.
Hardscaping – paver patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire features & outdoor kitchens – is about more than just making the backyard look nice. It's all about creating functional, attractive, maintenance outdoor space that adds to home value.
Here's how hardscaping helps you sell
Curb Appeal: The first thing a buyer sees is the home's exterior. A cracked, aging front walkway sends the wrong message.
Functionality: A well-designed backyard patio space extends the home's living space into the outdoors. Buyers can picture themselves hosting BBQs and relaxing around the fire pit at night.
Low Maintenance: Pavers, retaining walls & properly built features don't need constant upkeep, which is appealing to busy buyers. Less grass to mow is a win!
Perceived Care & Quality: Quality hardscaping signals a well-maintained home.
Hardscaping often helps home sell faster, and at stronger prices. In competitive markets, it sets one home apart from others when compared to similar listings.
How much does this cost?
Like most things, it depends.
A simple, wood-burning fire pit could range from $2,000 to $4,000 – while a custom, outdoor gas fireplace requires a larger investment, ranging from $10,000 to upwards of $20,000. Upgrading the fuel source from a wood-burning fire pit to a gas-powered fire pit will cost roughly $1,500 to $2,500 more, depending on the gas line's run length.
The average backyard paver patio is likely to land somewhere between $25,000 and $45,000. Cost varies substantially depending on equipment access, pavers selected for the job (natural stone vs. concrete pavers) and the amount of saw cutting required to achieve customized design elements. Large, high-end and complex patios require a larger investment.
Paver pathways & walkways can be installed for $5,000 to $20,000. Like patios, the overall size & length of the desired walkway is the biggest factor for variance in price. In addition, the walkway's shape – an the amount of saw cutting required for curves – is a big factor, too.
Costs for retaining walls vary widely depending on many factors. A structural, load-bearing wall of a small to medium size could cost between $10,000 to $35,000. A larger, complex retaining wall could cost upwards of $75,000 for replacement or a new installation. All retaining walls should include a plan for drainage & hydrostatic pressure management.
An outdoor kitchen is a luxury addition to any outdoor living space. Pricing varies widely depending on size, finishing elements (like the stone countertop selected), the addition of gas & water lines and cost of appliances. The average outdoor kitchen typically falls within the $20,000 to $40,000 investment range.
Does hardscaping require a professional?
We think so. Hardscaping requires a specialized skillset and the right equipment to ensure the improvement is built to last.
Pros understand proper grading, drainage requirements and installation best practices which prevent common issues like shifting pavers and water pooling. Having the right tools, equipment & expertise to complete the job safely and efficiently saves homeowners time and costly mistakes. Plus, a professionally designed & built hardscape ensures a cohesive space.
About South Central Landscapes LLC
We're a landscape contractor serving the greater Madison, Wisconsin area with a specialty focus on hardscapes & outdoor living – including retaining & seating walls, paver patios & walkways, fire features, fiberglass swimming pools & more.
We're one of the area's only Certified Concrete Paver Installers. We do things the right way to ensure our projects remain structurally sound for a lifetime. And, we're hardscape experts – it's really all we do. From professional design planning to expert installation, we stick to what we know best: hardscape design + build.
We offer a comprehensive warranty on all hardscape installations, and our small team of tenured professionals have years of experience crafting custom-built hardscapes.
Exploring a hardscape upgrade? Our experts have the experience and know-how to get the job done right. Learn more about us, view our project portfolio & request a quote on our website: www.sclandscapeswi.com
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